Seal-lock



(No Model.)

A. W. OOPPIN. SEAL LOOK.

No. 595,093. Patented Dec. 7,1897.

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UiviTisn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR \V. COFFIN, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SEAL-LOO K.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,093, dated December 7, 1897.

Application filed .l'nlyZS, 1897. Serial No. 646,172. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR WV. OOFFIN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Seal-Locks for Cars; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

Hy invention relates to a seal-lock which is especially adapted for the closure and sealing of freight and other similar cars or treasure-chests when in transit between the forwarding and receiving stations to prevent the removal or tampering with the contents of the cars, also to securely fasten the doors, and to afford means of detection in case the car or chest has been opened.

It consists in details of construction which will be more fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows the device in position as locked. Fig.2showsthe partsseparate. Fig. 3 is a section through the parts on line y y,

Fig. 4. Fig. 4: is a similar section on line 10 as, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows its application to the door being partly open.

The body of the seal consists of two parts A and A in the form of circular disks and the pivot-pin B, extending centrally from one through the other, so that the two are turnable one upon the other. The part A has a stout curved loop 0 formed with it projecting outwardly from one side, as shown. The part A has a bar D formed with it, also projecting radially to one side. The end of the curved portion 0 has a V-shaped or other suitably-formed notch 0 made in it, while the corresponding end (Z of D is made to fit into the notch C when the two are brought in line with each other, which can be done by turning the parts upon the pivot-pin B.

hen in line with each other, the plates A and A are locked together by means of a spring-latch E, of any suitable or desired form, which in the present case is shown in the form of a slidable spring-pressed bolt eX- tending radially into the arm 0, while the corresponding opening or notch a in the other movable part is brought into line therewith by turning in one direction. This stop or pawl is so constructed as to allow the parts A A to turn in one direction with relation to each other, but prevents their being turned in the opposite direction after the bolt or pawl is in the slot.

Upon each of the bars 0 and D are formed the projecting curved bars or hooks F and G. These hooks curve away from each other when the bars 0 and D are locked together, as well shown in Fig. 1, and form the attachment for the seal.

The seal consists of a simple piece of sheet metal bearing the number of the station where the car was sealed. It is usually tin, which may be made in a rectangular or other suitable or desired form, as shown at II. This piece of metal has a slot it formed centrally within it extending from near one end to near the other and of su'liicient diameter so that it may be fitted over the projecting curved spurs F and G when they are close together, and when by turning the disks A and A upon each other the ends of C and D are brought into line and locked in that position the hooks F and G will pass through the ends of the slot or opening it, and as they curve outwardly or away from each other it will be impossible to remove this strip of metal or seal while the parts remain in that position.

As it is not possible to return the parts A and A upon each other, so as to bring the hooks near enough together to disengage the strip H, it will be seen that it will be neces sary to break it before the parts can be separated, and as the parts 0 and D when united form a lock passing through the staple or hasp I, which holds the door closed, it will be seen that until the seal is broken and removed it will be impossible to separate the parts 0 D of the look so as to disengage it and allow the door to be opened.

In some cases it is found desirable in transporting poultry, perishable articles, or those which are volatile and produce more or less gas or vapor to open the doors, so as to leave a ventilating-space of four or five inches, more or less. In this case the seal H will be made sufficiently long with the slot h in each end, so that one end can be passed through the fastening in the door and folded back upon itself, Fig. 5, and both ends fastened on the hooks F and G, and thus form the seal, as before described, while allowing a sufficient space for ventilating purposes.

The metal seals are preferably stamped with some official name, character, ordevice, which will render it impossible to destroy and replace them while in transit without detection.

By reason of the shape of the hook C the device also serves to unite the hasp and staple and keep the door closed under ordinary conditions when not sealed, thus saving the use of the hook-pin in ordinary use.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A car lock and seal consisting of circular disks, a central pivot uniting them whereby they are turnable with relation to each other, a catch or latch by which they are allowed to turn in one direction only, a loop or staple formed of sections, one of which projects from each of the disks, the ends of said sections adapted to unite to form a continuous loop, and hooks projecting from said sections turning outwardly, and a slotted metallic strip adapted to fit over the ends of said hooks and be locked thereby when the loop or staple is closed.

2. A car look or seal consisting of disk-sections pivoted and turnable upon each other with a two-part staple composed of sections, one of which is secured to each part of the disk,'a locking device to prevent the disks from being turned back after the ends of the staple are united, outwardly-curving hooks upon the two parts of the staple, and a slotted metal strip fitting upon said hooks and locked thereby when the staplesections are in line.

3. A seal-lock consisting of members pivoted together and a staple formed of sections adapted to open away from each other, said sections having hooks adapted to engage and secure a slotted seal, and a locking device to prevent the members from being turned back after the ends of the staple sections are united.

4. A seal-lock consisting of a folded strip of flexible sheet metal having its central bight adapted to be passed through the hasp of a door and the ends slotted and brought together, pivoted members carrying staple-sections adapted to open away from each other and having hooks to engage the slots in the ends of the strip, and a locking device to prevent the members from being turned back after the ends of the staple sections are united.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ARTHUR WV. COFFIN.

Witnesses:

A. A. HINCHMAN, O. VAN EVERY. 

